Uganda

The ACT Alliance report examines how governments and donors can better promote ‘business enabling environments’ so that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can contribute to inclusive economic development in developing countries. ACRE is included as a case study, focussing on how the consortium of INGOs builds SME capacity and finance to help rural producers and consumers.

Matshetsheni Processing Centre: Communities from Bhejela Garden can bring any surplus crops here to sell for a fair price. The Processing Centre staff then process and package the produce (for example groundnuts into peanut butter or kale into dried kale). They also source produce from other irrigation schemes, using the monthly subscription fees as a capital injection. The farmers hope to receive dividends from their investment in the years to come. Skha (left) brings her surplus kale to be dried at the centre, where it is received, checked and measured by staff member Zibusiso. Once it is dried it can be sold for consumption during the year, when there are no green vegetables to harvest. Skha

Overall the report focuses on ‘what works’ and contains a literature review of support for SMEs plus three case studies from our experience as NGOs – in ACRE’s case looking at coffee production in Uganda and bringing organic produce to market in Zimbabwe. It is hoped that the study will inform decision making to ensure policies focus on what SMEs really need.

Challenges Worldwide worked with Enterprise Uganda, an incubator that offers a range of business development services, to identify appropriate enterprises for Challenges Worldwide Support.

Ka Tutandike was identified, and the partnership began. In 2014 2411 units of KaTu honey were produced, with a forecast increase to 5200 in 2015. Ka Tutandike Ltd currently employs 5 members of staff (4 full time, 1 part time) and is looking to recruit an additional staff member – Social Enterprise Manager. Two of these staff members are honey technicians, one of whom is a disabled women and the other is a young man (aiming to combat youth unemployment).

Challenges Worldwide volunteers worked with Ka Tutandike to identify key challenges faced. Volunteers undertook an in depth analysis of market competitors and compiled a thorough marketing plan to support Ka Tutandike Ltd to increase their sales. The comic strip was identified to overcome language barriers that many people face in Uganda.

Prior to Challenges Worldwide intervention, Ka Tutandike was selling in local markets. However, support of Changemaker volunteers secured Ka Tutandike’s presence at the first Ugandan International Marathon (key to testing the product with a European audience by aiding future expansion aims).